Pressure can device



Dec. 24, 1963 c. A. MoNTAGUE, JR 3,115,277

PRESSURE CAN DEVICE United States Patent O 3,115,277 PRESSURE CAN DEVICECharles A. Montague, Jr., 5269 Pecan Grove Lane, Memphis 17, Tenn. FiledJan. 22, 1963, Ser. No. 253,124 Claims. (Cl. Z22- 52) This inventionrelates to a pressure can device in which means is provided forselectively either discharging the contents of the can manually ordischarging the contents of the can automatically at selected intervalsof time. For purposes of clarity, in the present specication, when theterm pressure can is used, it is deemed to mean that type of enclosedcan which is commonly known as an aerosol can and which contains a fluidunder pressure therein that is adapted to be expelled therefrom by thepressure in the can.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improvedpressure can device which may be selectively either automatically ormanually operable to discharge the contents of the can.

A further object is to provide such a device in which all of themechanisms for causing the discharge of the contents thereof are builtinto the can itself, and the device is self-contained.

A further object is to provide such a device which includes a main valveoperable responsive to a diaphragm that is acted upon by fluid beingbled from the main chamber of the can into an auxiliary chamber in thecan.

A further object is to provide such a device in which means is providedfor causing the movements of the main valve to be positive in action.

A further object is to provide such a device that has means foradjusting the frequency of the automatic discharge of the contents ofthe can.

A further object is to provide such a device in which is provided meansto manuallydischarge the contents of the can without interfering withthe adjustment of the automatic discharge thereof.

A further object is to provide such a device that is highly effective inoperation and yet economical to manufacture.

A further object is generally to improve the design and construction ofpressure can devices.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the presentinvention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment willbe readily understood from the following specification upon reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional View taken as on a vertical plane throughthe center of the pressure can device of the present invention,illustrating the main valve in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the main valve in anopen position.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a modification of the pressure candevice.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view showing a modifiedadjustment means for restricting the amount of bleed-off from the mainchamber of the can.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicatedby numerals, and referring first more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, thepressure can device 11 of the preferred embodiment includes an airtightcontainer or can 13 having a bottom 15, a top 17, and a preferablycylindrical side wall 19 interconnecting bottom 15 v and top 17 toestablish an enclosed main chamber 21 in the interior of can-15 thatreceives the liuid, such as uid F, which is under pressure. t will beunderstood that fluid F may be either in the liquid form, gaseous form,or combinations of both, depending upon the product to be dispensed.

ICC

A valve casing 23 is iixedly attached to top 17 in a central opening 25in the top and depends downwardly into main chamber 21. Valve casing 23is provided with a central vertically extending bore 27 in which isslidably received a stem 29 for vertical movement. Stem 29 is taperedinwardly to establish a slanted shoulder 31 that extends upwardly to areduced portion 33 of stern 29 which slidably extends through a reducedportion 35 of bore 27 in the upper end of valve casing 23. Valve casing23 is also tapered inwardly in a manner corresponding to shoulder 31where it is preferably coated with a seating material, such as softrubber or the like, to establish a resiiient slanted seat 37 that isadapted to be contacted by shoulder 31 to close main valve 39, as willbe better understood in the description to follow later in thespeciiication.

Reduced portion 33 extends upwardly beyond valve casing 23 where a stop,such as a ring 41, is fitted into a groove 42 and projects outwardlyover the valve casing to limit downward movement of stem 29 and stop thestem in a lowered position, as shown in FIG. 2. It will be understoodthat the upward movement of stem 29 will be limited by shoulder 31abutting seat 37 to stop the stem in an upward position, as shown inFIG. 1.

Stem 29 is also reduced adjacent the lower part thereof, which isillustrated as at 43, and establishes a shoulder or annular surface 45adjacent the junction of the upper end of reduced lower portion 43 andthe enlarged portion 47 of stern 29.

Snap latches 43 are provided for holding main valve 39 in a closed or anopen position, and each includes a spring 49 provided in a socket 51 inthe side of enlarged portion 47, and which spring urges a ball bearing53 against the interior of valve casing 23. In addition, a recess 55 isprovided in the interior of valve casing 23 for each of snap latches 43and is adapted to be engaged by a ball bearing 53 when main valve 39 isin said closed position to snap-lock the valve in this positon. Anadditional recess 56 is provided in the interior of valve casing 23 foreach of snap latches 4S and is adapted to be engaged by a ball bearing53 when main valve 39 is in said open position to snap-lock the valve inthis position.

A ring 57 is threaded into the lower end of casing 23 to establish anannular seat 58 for seating the lower end of a compression spring 59that surrounds reduced lower portion 43 and contacts annular surface 45at the upper end of the spring to urge stern 29 upwardly towards theclosed position of main valve 39. It should be noted that in someinstances it may be desirable to omit spring 59.

Reduced portion 43 extends downwardly through the lower open end 61 ofvalve casing 23 land thence through (the central opening 63 in bottom15. Suitable sealing means or packing `65 is provided in opening 63 toslidably contact reduced portion 43 to seal off any flow of liuid Fthrough opening 63.

Side wall 19 is extended downwardly below bottom 15 for la portion toestablish a skirt 67. A preferably annular shaped `diaphragm 69 is xedlyattached adjacent fthe outer edges 71 thereof to the interior of skirt67 and is fixed-ly attached adjacent the central opening therein yas at73 to reduced lower portion 43 in spaced `relationship bellow bottom 15vto establish an enclosed lauxiliary chamber 75. l

An outlet passage 77 leads from auxiliary chamber to the exterior of can13, and the passage is divided into two parts: (l) a ilower passageportion 79 leading from auxiliary chamber 75 through stem 29 and whichpassage portion is divided into branches 81 that extend through shoulder31; land (2) an upper passage portion 83 extending from the outlet pont85, which is on the upper portion of stem 29 that is exteriorly of can13,

land which passage portion is divided into branches 87 3 that extend toshoulder 31. It will be understood that main valve 39 acts to open andclose communication between lower passage portion 79 and upper passageportion 83. Thus, when main valve 39 is open, as shown in FIG. 2, lowerpassage portion 79 is communicated with upper passage portion 83 throughthe space 89 between seat 37 and shoulder 3-1; and whenthe main vallveis lclosed, as shown in FIG. 1, it will be seen that cornmunication iscut off between lower passage portion 79 and upper passage portion 83.

An additional passage 91 is provided in stem 29 and extends from anupper port 93 to a lower port 95 that opens into lauxiliary chamber 75.Upper port 93 is placed in such a position that when stem 29 is in theupper position to close main valve 39, the port is communicated withmain chamber 21 so that uid F and pressure may bleed off from lthe mainchamber through additional passage 91 and into auxiliary chamber 75.When stem 29 is moved into a lowered position and main valve 39 opened,as seen in FIG. 2, upper port 93 is moved from A its position incommunication with main chamber 21 and therebelow so lthat ybleeding offiuid F is cut off. In effect, the above mentioned structure establishesan auxiliary vallve 97 for blocking off and opening ow throughadditional passage 91.

An adjustable restriction means is provided for additional passage 91and is preferably in the form of a needle valve that includes a needlevalve stem 99 threadedly engaged in a threaded bore y101 which extendsvertically upwardly from the lower end of stem 29 to additional passage91. The lower end of needle valve stem 99 is provided with the usualhead 103 so `that the needle valve can -be turned to cause the pointedupper end 105 thereof to vary the -restriction of the flow throughadditional passage 91. Needle valve stem 99 is arranged so that at Y itsupper limit of travel it will completely block off the flow throughadditional passage 911, which is desirable in some cases where manualoperation alone is desired.

In describing the operation of the pressure can device 11, it will beassumed that :the parts are in the positions shown in FIG. l and thatbleeding off `of the fluid F has just begun. It will be understood thatmain valve 39 will be held in the closed position by the combined forcesof compression spring 59, snap latches 48, and the force of the pressurein main chamber 21 against annular surface 45. When fluid F begins tobleed through additional passage 91, the diaphragm 69 will be in thenormal at-rest or retracted position, as shown in FlG. 1. `It will beunderstood that the effective area of diaphragm 69 acted upon by thepressure in auxiliary chamber 75 is greater than the effective area of'annular surface 45 acted upon by `the pressure in main chamber 21.Also, it will be understood that the following two forces are opposingeach other: (1) the force caused by the pressure in auxiliary chamber 75acting on diaphragm 69; and (2) the force due to the combination of theeffect of snap latches 48, spring 59, and the force of the pressure inmain chamber 21 against annular surface 45. When the pressure inauxiliary chamber 75 has reached a suflicient amount so that the forceacting on diaphragm 69 is sufficient -to override the opposing forcesheretofore described under (2) above, stem 29 will be snapped out of itsupper position and will be moved downward by the diaphragm to thelowered position, shown in FIG. 2, which opens main valve 39 and permitsexpulsion of fluid F from auxiliary chamber '75 through outlet passage77 to the exterior of the device. Then, the pressure in auxiliarychamber 75 decreases, and when it is decreased to a sufficient amountwhich can no longer be effective to override the forces tending to movemain valve 39 into a closed position, stem 29 will be moved upwardly ytoclose the main valve and stop the flow through outlet passage 77 and toagain allow fluid to be bled into auxiliary chamber 75, whereupon theabove described cycle will be repeated. Thus, the fluid in can 13 willbe automatically ejected in spurts, with the intervals of time betweenthe spurts depending upon the setting of valve stem 99.

A supplementary valve is preferably provided and is actuatedsimultaneously with the opening and closing of main valve 39.Supplementary valve 1.25 preferably includes a supplementary passage-127 at is restricted in relation to lower passage portion 79. Passage127 leads from main chamber 211 through valve casing 23 and through seat37 where it communicates with space 89 when main valve 39 is open and isblocked off when the main valve is closed. Thus, supplementary valve 125permits fiow from main chamber 21 into outlet passage 77 to supplementthe flow of fluid F being expelled. Also, it will be understood thatsupplementary valve 125 provides a means whereby the pressure can device11 can be manually operated. Thus, for manual operation, stem 29 ispushed downwardly by thumb pressure on the top of stem 29 to allowexpulsion of fluid F through supplementary passage 127, space 89, andout the upper end of outlet passage 77.

A modified form of the needle valve stem is` shown in FIG. 4, wherein itwill be seen :the upper end of the needle valve stem 107 is formed offoraminous material for a reduced portion as at y109, which provides avery effective construction when it is desired to allow Very smallquantities of fluid F and pressure to be bled-off at a Very slow ratefrom main chamber 2-1, as, for example, when it is ldesired that theejection of the fluid be at widely spaced intervals of time. At thejuncture of foraminous portion y109 and the main Ibody portion 1111 ofneedle valve stem 107, a frusto-conioal shoulder L13 is provided, whichabuts a mating seat L15 when needle valve stern 107 is in its uppermostposition to block off flow through additional passage 91.

-In the modification shown in FIG. 3, the valving means for theadditional passage between main chamber 21 and auxiliary chamber 75occurs between the enlarged portion '47 of stern 219 and valve casing23. Thus, additional passage 117 extends from the port 119, which isexposed to auxiliarsr chamber 75, through stem 29 to a port 121 in theside of enlarged portion 47, which port 121 is adapted to align with aport 123 through valve casing 23 when marin valve 39 is in a yclosedposition, so that the uid F can bleed off from main chamber 21 toauxiliary chamber 75, as heretofore described for the principalembodiment. It will be understood [that when main valve `39 is opened,port 121 will be blocked off by valve casing 23.

From the foregoing description it can be seen that a very efiicientpressure can device 11 is provided which can be selectively operatedeither manually or automatically. In addition, it can be seen that thedevice is positive in action since the opening and closing of main valve39 occurs with a snap due to snap latches 48. Further, the device of thepresent invention is a complete unit in itself and does not have to haveother mechanisms to cause expulsion of the fluid. Additionally, thedevice is economical to manufacture.

Although the invention has been described in some detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity or understanding, it isto be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes andmodifications may be made therein which are within the full intendedscope of this invetnion as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a device of the type including an enclosed can having a mainchamber therein containing a fluid under pressure, the combinationtherewith comprising means establishing an auxiliary chamber in saidcan, outlet passage means leading from said auxiliary chamber to theexterior of said can, main valve means in said can for movement betweenan open position to allow flow through said outlet passage means and aclosed position to block flow through said outlet passage means,additional passage means leading from said main chamber to saidauxiliary chamber to allow the uid under pressure in said main chamberto bleed off to said auxiliary chamber, means in said can coupled tosaid main valve means responsive to the pressure in said auxiliarychamber for opening said main valve means when the pressure is increasedto a predetermined amount and for closing said main valve means when thepressure is decreased to a predetermined amount.

2. In a device of the type including an enclosed can having a mainchamber therein containing a fluid under pressure, the combinationtherewith comprising means including a diaphragm establishing anauxiliary chamber in said can, said diaphragm being movable betweenretracted and expanded positions, outlet passage means leading from saidauxiliary chamber to the exterior of said can, main valve means in saidcan for movement between an open position to allow flow through saidoutlet passage means and a closed position to block flow through saidoutlet passage means, said main valve means having a surface exposed tosaid main chamber, additional passage means leading from said mainchamber to said auxiliary chamber to allow the fluid under pressure insaid main chamber to bleed olf to said auxiliary chamber, said mainvalve means being normally held in said closed position responsive tothe pressure in said main chamber acting on said surface, said diaphragmbeing normally in a retracted position, upon an increase in the pressurein said auxiliary chamber to a pre-determined amount due to the bleedingof fluid from said main chamber to said auxiliary chamber said diaphragmbeing effective to override the pressure in said main chamber acting onsaid surface to open said main valve means whereby the uid from saidauxiliary chamber is expelled through said outlet passage means and thepressure in said auxiliary chamber is decreased, upon a decrease in thepressure in said auxiliary chamber to a pre-determined amount due to theexpulsion of the fluid therefrom said diaphragm being no longer eiectiveto override the pressure in said main chamber acting on said surfacewhereby said main valve means is moved to a closed position to stop theflow through said outlet passage means.

3. In a device of the type including an enclosed can having a mainchamber therein containing a fluid under pressure, the combinationtherewith comprising means including a diaphragm establishing anauxiliary chamber in said can, said diaphragm being movable betweenretracted and expanded positions, outlet passage means leading from saidauxiliary chamber to the exterior of said can, main valve means in saidcan for movement between an open position to allow flow through saidoutlet passage means and a closed position to block flow through saidoutlet passage means, said main valve means having a surface exposed tosaid main chamber, additional passage means leading from said mainchamber to said auxiliary chamber to allow the uid under pressure insaid main chamber to bleed oi to said auxiliary chamber, adjustablerestriction means in said additional passage means for controlling theflow therethrough, auxiliary valve means in said additional passagemeans for movement between an open position to allow ow through saidadditional passage means and a closed position to block flow throughsaid additional passage means, said auxiliary valve means and said mainvalve means being coupled to said diaphragm and responsive to movementsof said diaphragm, said main Valve means being normally held in saidclosed position responsive to the pressure in said main chamber actingon said surface, said diaphragm being normally in a retracted position,upon an increase in the pressure in said auxiliary chamber to apredetermined amount due to the bleeding of iluid from said main chamberto said auxiliary chamber said diaphragm being effective to override thepressure in said main chamber acting on said surface to open said mainvalve means and close said auxiliary valve means whereby the fluid fromsaid auxiliary chamber is expelled through said outlet passage means andthe pressure in said auxiliary chamber is decreased, upon a decrease inthe pressure in said auxiliary chamber to a pre-determined amount due tothe expulsion of the uid therefrom said diaphragm being no longereffective to override the pressure in said main chamber acting on saidsurface whereby said main valve means is moved to a closed position tostop the ow through said outlet passage means and said auxiliary valvemeans is moved to an open position to begin again the bleeding of thefluid from said main chamber to said auxiliary chamber for subsequentoperational cycles.

4. A pressure can device comprising an enclosed can having a mainchamber therein containing a fluid under pressure; said can including atop, a bottom, and a side wall interconnecting said top and said bottom;a valve casing attached to said top and depending into saidmain chamber,said casing being provided with a bore including a tapered seatextending to a reduced portion of said bore, said bore adjacent thelower end thereof opening into said main chamber, a stem including atapered shoulder adapted to sealingly about said seat, said stem beingprovided with an outlet passage including a lower passage portionextending from adjacent the lower end of said stem to said shoulder andan upper passage portion extending from said shoulder in spacedrelationship to said lower passage portion to the exterior of said can,said stem being slidably mounted in said bore for movement between anupper position in which asid shoulder is abutted against said seat toblock communication between said lower passage portion and said upperpassage portion and a lower position in which said shoulder is spacedbelow said seat and communication is established between said lowerpassage portion and said upper passage portion, said stem including asurface exposed to said main chamber and responsive to pressure in saidmain chamber to normally urge said stem into said upper position, saidside wall extending below said bottom to provide a skirt on said can, adiaphragm attached to said skirt in spaced relationship below saidbottom to establish an auxiliary chamber, said bottom being providedwith an opening, said stem slidably and sealingly extending through saidopening with the lower end of said lower passage portion being incommunication with said auxiliary chamber, said stem being attached tosaid diaphragm and responsive to movement thereof, said stem beingprovided with an additional passage extending from a first port normallyexposed to said main chamber to a second port exposed to said auxiliarychamber for slowly bleeding of lluid and pressure from said main chamberto said auxiliary chamber, said diaphragm having a greater effectivearea than said surface of said stem and being responsive to an increasein pressure in said auxiliary chamber to a pre-determined point toexpand and move said stem to said lower position whereby said outletpassage is opened and fluid in said auxiliary chamber is expelled andthe pressure in said auxiliary chamber is reduced, said diaphragm beingresponsive to a reduction in the pressure in said auxiliary chamber to apre-determined point to retract said diaphragm and move said stern tosaid upper position whereby said outlet passage is closed for therepetition of the opening and closing cycles.

5. The device of claim 4 in which a supplementary passage is providedthrough said valve casing leading from said main chamber through saidseat where it communicates with the space between said shoulder and saidseat when said stem is in said lower position, whereby supplementaryilow of fluid is permitted from said main chamber to the exterior ofsaid can and means is provided for manual operation by downward pressureon said stem.

6. The device of claim 5 in which supplementary means is providedbetween said main chamber and said outlet passage means for causing theflow of fluid from said main chamber responsive to manual pressure onsaid stem.

7. The device of claim 4 in which a foraminous restriction means isprovided in said additional passage.

8. The device of claim 4 in which adjustable restriction means isprovided in said additional passage.

9. The device of claim 4 in which snap-latch means are provided forsnap-latching said stern in said upper position and said lower position.

10. A pressure can device comprising an enclosed can having a mainchamber therein containing a fluid under pressure; said can including atop, a bottom, and a side wall interconnecting said top and said bottom;a valve casing attached to said top and depending into said mainchamber, said casing being provided with a bore opening into said mainchamber, a stem provided with an outlet passage therethrough with oneend thereof being open to the outside atmosphere, said stem beingslidably mounted in said bore to cooperate with said valve casing toprovide a main valve means for said outlet passage, said stem includinga surface exposed to said main charnber and responsive to pressure insaid main chamber to normally urge said stem into a closed position ofsaid main valve means, said side wall extending below said bottom toprovide a skirt on said can, a diaphragm attached to said skirt inspaced relationship below said bottom to establish an auxiliary chamber,said bottom being provided with an opening, said stem slidably andsealingly extending through said opening with the lower end of saidoutlet passage being in communication with said auxiliary chamber, saidstem being attached to said diaphragm and responsive to movementthereof, said diaphragm having a greater effective area than saidsurface and being responsive to an increase in pressure in saidauxiliary chamber to a pre-determined point to expand and move said stemto open said main valve means and allow flow through said outlet passagewhereby uid in said auxiliary chamber is expelled and the pressure insaid auxiliary chamber is reduced, said diaphragm being responsive to areduction in the pressure in said auxiliary chamber to a pre-determinedpoint to retract said diaphragm and move said stem to close said mainvalve means and cut on llow through said outlet passage.

Edelstein Mar. 15, 1960 Edelstein et al Jan. 10, 1961

1. IN A DEVICE OF THE TYPE INCLUDING AN ENCLOSED CAN HAVING A MAINCHAMBER THEREIN CONTAINING A FLUID UNDER PRESSURE, THE COMBINATIONTHEREWITH COMPRISING MEANS ESTABLISHING AN AUXILIARY CHAMBER IN SAIDCAN, OUTLET PASSAGE MEANS LEADING FROM SAID AUXILIARY CHAMBER TO THEEXTERIOR OF SAID CAN, MAIN VALVE MEANS IN SAID CAN FOR MOVEMENT BETWEENAN OPEN POSITION TO ALLOW FLOW THROUGH SAID OUTLET PASSAGE MEANS AND ACLOSED POSITION TO BLOCK FLOW THROUGH SAID OUTLET PASSAGE MEANS,ADDITIONAL PASSAGE MEANS LEADING FROM SAID MAIN CHAMBER TO SAIDAUXILIARY CHAMBER TO ALLOW THE FLUID UNDER PRESSURE IN SAID MAIN CHAMBERTO BLEED OFF TO SAID AUXILIARY CHAMBER, MEANS IN SAID CAN COUPLED TOSAID MAIN VALVE MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE PRESSURE IN SAID AUXILIARYCHAMBER FOR OPENING SAID MAIN VALVE MEANS WHEN THE PRESSURE IS INCREASEDTO A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT AND FOR CLOSING SAID MAIN VALVE MEANS WHEN THEPRESSURE IS DECREASED TO A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT.